Freedom to Heal: A Christian Clinician’s Guide to Treating Child Sexual Abuse (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
A Practitioner’s Guide to Caring for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
For adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, there is no easy road to healing. Yet there is hope for true freedom―to thrive, to love others, and to love God.
Tammy Schultz, Hannah Estabrook, and Adam David Dell have written a go-to resource for faith-based practitioners caring for survivors of sexual abuse. Drawing from their personal experiences and work with survivors, the authors discuss the integration of theology and mental health practices and the healing pathways of the counseling journey. They also incorporate current research into each chapter, offering evidence-based, practical guidance. This book reflects on biblical trauma narratives that show God’s concern for survivors; helps counselors and caregivers compassionately comprehend survivors’ experiences; suggests evidence-based therapeutic approaches and practices that address individualized needs; addresses vicarious traumatization and sustainable practices for clinicians and caregivers; and recommends interventions and resources to equip practitioners with next steps.
While every client’s experience is unique, there are common themes and challenges practitioners must understand as they craft personalized treatments. Freedom to Heal is an honest, compassionate guide for therapists, medical professionals, pastoral counselors, and others who endeavor to journey with trauma survivors.
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- Discusses the integration of theology and mental health practices.
- Incorporates current research into each chapter, offering evidence-based, practical guidance.
- Speaks to people caring for survivors of sexual abuse.
- Introduction
- 1. Tamar: A Desolate Woman
- 2. Anguish Unvoiced
- 3. Cesspools of Shame
- 4. Trust and Treachery
- 5. Addiction: An Enslaving Solution
- 6. Complex Trauma, Complex Memories
- 7. Indomitable Hope
- 8. Attached to God: Prayer Practices in Therapeutic Settings
- 9. Hitting the Wall: Vicarious Traumatization
- 10. Flying Above the Fray: Forgiving Incalculable Suffering
- 11. Living Beyond Desolate: Forests of Flourishing
- Epilogue
- Appendix: Evidence-Based Practices and Clinical Practice Guidelines Recommendations for Clinicians Working with Clients with PTSD
- General Index
- Scripture Index
This is a desperately needed book. As a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse—and now professor of theology and practicing therapist—this book is a double blessing of the highest order. The words on every page are pastorally sensitive, clinically wise, eminently researched, and brimming with survivor testimony. Too often, the topics of sexual abuse and trauma healing are either overlooked or sensationalized, rather than approached with God’s kindness, bold care, and radical hope. This book does justice to the topics and should be standard reading for all faith-based caring professionals.
—Preston McDaniel Hill, professor of integrative theology and co-chair of integration at Richmont Graduate University
Freedom to Heal is a must-read for Christian, faith-based therapists and others who seek to fuse evidence-based approaches and recognized best practices with a spiritually integrated, theologically informed perspective on therapeutic treatments of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). This book treats a range of major topics in clinical treatments of CSA with great sensitivity, care, and depth of insight. While acknowledging the profound damage CSA can cause, the authors invite readers to the possibility of healing, and even flourishing, as outcomes in the lives of people who have experienced CSA.
—Yvonne Zimmerman, dean of academic affairs and religious studies at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, and author of Other Dreams of Freedom: Religion, Sex, and Human Trafficking
As both a survivor and advocate, I found Freedom to Heal: A Christian Clinician’s Guide to Treating Child Sexual Abuse to be a much-needed resource for both survivors and the faithful helpers who walk the healing road with us. Loaded with deeply researched tools and insights for clinicians, intertwined with the biblical story and drenched in empathy for survivors, Freedom to Heal covers the rugged ground associated with child sexual abuse while keeping readers on the middle path that can ultimately lead to freedom for those who have been victimized.
—Nicole Braddock Bromley, author of Hush: Moving From Silence to Healing After Child Sexual Abuse and executive director of OneVOICE
- Title: Freedom to Heal: A Christian Clinician’s Guide to Treating Child Sexual Abuse
- Authors: Tammy Schultz, Hannah Estabrook, Adam David Dell
- Series: Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books
- Publisher: IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2025
- Logos Release Date: 2025
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Adult child sexual abuse victims; Caring; Adult child sexual abuse victims—Pastoral counseling; Adult child sexual abuse victims—Rehabilitation
- ISBNs: 9781514007518, 1514007517
- Resource ID: LLS:FRDMHLCHRSSXLBS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-03-06T15:01:48Z